In the tradition of semiotics developed by Ferdinand de Saussure (referred to as semiology) the sign relation is dyadic, consisting only of a form of the sign (the signifier) and its meaning (the signified).

Saussure saw this relation as being essentially arbitrary, motivated only by social convention.

Read this story:

A Table is a Table by Peter Bichsel

with the idea of semiotics in mind.

Interpret the effect of the changes the character makes to his sense of connectedness and belonging.  In light of the story decide: what are the perils of manipulating relationship between the signifier and the signified?  What do you think the character’s motivation was?  Was there a difference between what you think he intended to achieve and what the consequence actually was?